I recently returned from Cairo, where I was on a school trip for a senior high school arts festival. It was nothing short of amazing, to work with wonderful colleagues living in the Middle East, to work on my conducting and horn playing skills, and to see such sights as the pyramids with my students. It’s funny, the transition from my simple prairie life to this complicated (and it is complex) life in the Middle East. At home, I would have takend my students to Moose Jaw and we would see the world’s largest moose. Perhaps we would drive through Watson and see the Santa Claus statue. Riding on a coach bus with a bathroom and a DVD player would be the height of luxury. Dinner at Bonanza would be the highlight of the trip.
But this time, I selected only 6 of my finest students. There were art, drama and choir students and their respective teachers in attendance as well, 21 of us from our school. We got on the plane (eventually, but that is another story), flew to Cairo, worked hard, and saw the world’s largest PYRAMIDS, one of the 7 Wonders of the Anciet World. Of course, we also saw the sphynx which I must say puts the giant moose and even the giant Easter Egg to shame. The funny thing is most of these kids have been to Egypt already with their on other school trips or with their families. It was not the thrill for them it was for me.
A Traveler’s Tale (festival theme) Our story in three parts
Part One: Eventual embarkation
We left the school at 11:15am on Wednesday to arrive at the airport less than half an hour later. Then we took about an hour to check in since we were a large group. After we boarded the plane, we waited a while and still had not taken off. We were served meals and after they were cleaned up, we were asked to take all of our hand luggage and deplane. We proceeded to wait in the Kuwait airport for a few more hours while the sandstorm in Cairo passed. Instead of arriving in Cairo around 4 pm it was nearly 10pm.
Part Two: Cairo (Maadi)
This is a brilliant way to run a festival. Bring together students in arts disciplines and create. The energy among the teachers was almost magical. It was a privilege to work with fabulous band conductors who serve as mentors and inspirations. I almost, on more than one occasion, bowed to them to indicate my humility in their presence. Somehow, I managed to control myself as I thought that may be a little over the top.
Our band students (all 70 of them) played some great pieces and it was a joy to play horn in the band. The drama students put on a good presentation, the art students brought work from their schools and created digeridoos (very cool) and the choir sang Gloria! It was a most rewarding experience. The best part is, just as I come down from this one, there is another one in mid-April. This time it will be Middle School students (my specialty) and the same wonderful directors. I anticipate another fabulous learning experience.
The sight seeing part of the trip was an eye-opener to how we begin to take things for granted. Some students, as I mentioned, have already seen the pyramids and were bored by the repetition of the experience. I thought to myself: so many folks will never see this wonder, why can we not just be glad to witness the greatness of these structures... Please note: all the 'Look Mom, here I am at the pyramids’ photos are forthcoming.
The last night of the trip, after a fine gala performance (luckily, my piece went best of all!) we went on felcua (paddle) boats on the Nile River. While talking to other teachers, I took a moment of silence to process the thought: I am sitting on a boat on the Nile River. The NILE RIVER. I am in EGYPT on a school trip. My life has taken a fabulous turn and I am glad to be who I am and where I am.
The other most exciting part of the trip was when Egypt won the Africa Cup soccer match against the Cote d’Ivoire team. There were veritable riots in the streets, mainly on the medans (medians). There were people dancing ON TOP of their cars, banging drums, shouting and spraying fire from aerosol cans. It was amazing to see these people so excited- men walking down the road draped in Egyptian flags, people thrilled with the accomplishment of their athletes, a genuine enthusiasm and enjoyment of life. This is a moment I was so fortunate to witness, one that cannot be planned. I love the feeling of being part of something so great, something seemingly larger than life.
Aside from that, the trip was pretty smooth, except a couple of my students got some piercings while staying with their host family (belly button and ear flap) and tried to purchase duty free on the way out of the country. But I stopped that last one pretty quickly.
Part three: Homeward Bound
We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare. It was 2pm and we were scheduled to board at 4:20pm. One student was sure she had lost her ticket and finally bothered to look in her bag and find it after about an hour and a half of stress. And although the activites director at the school had reconfirmed our tickets, the airline said our seats were cancelled as they had not been reconfirmed. Apparently this happens all the time in Egypt. Finally, at about 4:40pm we found out we could all go home together. At one point, several students were going to be left behind. We did board in time to leave almost on time at 5:20 but instead left at 6:20pm. Not so bad as the way there, at least, but far more stressful.
I am still tired but happy to be getting ready for yet another journey in 2 months. Next weekend, we have a long weekend and Katie and I are going to Bahrain to relax and hang out. It should be fun, though I really wanted to go to Dubai but the tickets got to be too expensive. And now that I know some friendly colleagues in Dubai, it would have been nice to see them again. There are a couple fellow Canadians who were happy to hear about my nationality. We became instant friends. Gotta love Western Canadians.
And so, my friends, these are the highlights. Still there are meetings, disagreements, frustration and fatigue. But who wants to hear about those things...Tomorrow, I will go to a Valentine’s Dance Party Dinner fundraiser things. The next night is a birthday party for a friend turning 29. And so it goes, time moves fast and always there is somthing to do.
With gratitude for opportunities, international friensdhips, laughter and Canadians overseas...masalaam.
